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‘Skins Escape Late Eagles Surge, Sustain Hold on First Place

With rookie quarterback sensation Robert Griffin III back in the lineup, the Washington Redskins topped the Philadelphia Eagles 27-20 at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field Dec. 23 to maintain their lead in the busy NFC East.

Washington (9-6) has a chance to clinch the division and claim a home playoff game with a win Dec. 28 against the rival Dallas Cowboys.

But today, the road team was focused on the task at hand as Washington built a 27-13 lead late in the third quarter when Griffin hooked up with receiver Santana Moss for a 22-yard touchdown.

Philadelphia struck back in the final quarter after running back Dion Lewis' 17-yard run cut the lead to a touchdown. The Eagles had a chance to tie with little time left on the clock but referees ruled as an intentional grounding, quarterback Nick Foles’ desperation throw away on second-and-five from the Washington goal line, automatically running the remaining eight seconds off the clock.

After the ruling, Washington defenders threw their helmets off as they ran to the sideline to celebrate the Redskins' sixth consecutive win. A win in the next game will earn Washington their first National Football Conference (NFC) East crown in 13 seasons.

Griffin, back from a knee injury, passed for 198 yards and two scores. While RGIII was forced to remain in the pocket for much of the afternoon as he favored his leg, rookie rusher Alfred Morris shouldered the load, running for 91 yards and a score.